“Mr. Gates, tear down that hold!”

April 16, 2024

If you got a blue screen when you tried to upgrade to Windows 11, good news — you can finally update. After two years of complaints, Microsoft removed the “compatibility hold” that kept Windows 10 users with Intel Smart Sound Technology audio drivers and Intel 11th-Gen Core processors from getting Windows 11. First, update your drivers under Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. You should see the Windows 11 upgrade within 48 hours after updating.

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Do you need antivirus software? Yes! Check out Kim's pick

With all the cybercriminals and digital threats, you shouldn’t pinch pennies when protecting your devices. Using free antivirus software can actually put you at risk. You need smarter, more robust tools to combat increasingly sophisticated hackers and scammers.

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Catchphrase: Forget the frantic typing and simply bookmark useful phrases in Google Translate. Tap the star next to your translated text to save it for future you! Où puis-je trouver du bon café?

20M student papers included AI writing last year

That’s about 10% of the 200 million assignments analyzed. Oh, and about 6 million of those submissions were at least 80% AI-generated. Might be time to bring back the blue book.

Love making AI images in Midjourney? This one’s for you. Use the Niji mode to create some seriously cool Japanese-style animation. On the web version of Midjourney, click Settings and then select Niji V6.Pro tip: Include “anime” or “manga” in your prompt.

For your eyes only: If you’ve got sensitive pics in your Google Photos collection and you want to make sure they don’t get seen, tap on and hold an image, then pick Move to Locked Folder. Now that photo needs a PIN or fingerprint to view, just like your phone.

A secret shortcut: You can double- or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to launch a frequently used app, like Camera or Settings. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap to set it up. Ta-da! Like magic.

Need a hand with your tech? Let’s chat one-on-one about what’s going on, whether it’s making your business more profitable or solving a family digital dilemma. Schedule an appointment for a time that works for you so we can talk. I would love to help you!

Math counts: Next time you need to do a simple calculation, type it directly into your browser’s address bar and hit Enter. It even works for percentages — type “What is 40% of 50?” or whatever numbers you need.

Quick! Hide your open windows: On a PC: Windows key + M. (Use Windows key + Shift + M to reopen.) On a Mac: Cmd + Option + H + M. Works for anything you need to hide, like, now.

Spotlight for everything on a Mac: Apple’s built-in search function isn’t just for finding files; use it for quick calculations, currency conversions and even definitions. Press Cmd + spacebar to access Spotlight and search away! It’s a powerful tool that can save you time from opening separate apps for simple tasks.